In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that a unique legal conflict emerged regarding Elizabeth Wilkins, 24, a University of Plymouth law student jailed for seven years for fracturing her baby son’s skull. On appearing at Plymouth Crown Court in December 2018, Wilkins was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. It was reported that while a jury was sure Wilkins caused the head injuries in September 2016, a senior High Court judge in separate family proceedings concluded that the baby’s father, Erick Vanselow, was actually the perpetrator of the skull fractures.
The investigation established that the baby sustained a series of serious physical injuries while in the care of both parents, who met at university and lived together in Plymouth, Devon. Devon and Cornwall Police reported that the child suffered head injuries, rib fractures, and eye injuries. The prosecution reported that while the criminal court convicted Wilkins of the most serious head injuries, Lord Justice Baker—analysing the case on the balance of probabilities for social services—found that Vanselow had inflicted the head injuries in the early hours of the morning.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the baby suffered long-term, life-changing damage due to a catastrophic delay in seeking medical attention. Plymouth Crown Court heard that Wilkins and Vanselow both suffered from depression and their relationship was under significant pressure. The investigation established that while the family court blamed the father for the head injuries, the judge did not absolve Wilkins, finding her responsible for serious injuries to the baby’s eyes and noting she failed to pay sufficient attention to her son’s condition.
Lord Justice Baker stated that the fact that a family court and a crown court reached different conclusions as to the perpetrator is a matter of profound public interest. For her actions in Devon, Wilkins remains serving her seven-year sentence, having not appealed the conviction despite the conflicting judicial findings. The judge noted that both parents bore a shared responsibility for the delay in medical care, which exacerbated the infant’s suffering and permanent disability.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Elizabeth Wilkins is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 7 years (Sentenced December 2018).
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Plymouth Crown Court; findings reviewed by the Court of Appeal.
- Criminal Record: Inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.
- Co-Defendant Status: Erick Vanselow was acquitted in criminal court but blamed in family court.
- Origin: University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Wilkins is managed as a violent offender within the prison estate following her conviction in Plymouth. Due to the nature of the conduct, which involved life-altering injuries to a defenceless infant and a failure to seek urgent medical help, her management is a maximum priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that while the family court findings provide a different narrative regarding the head injuries, the criminal conviction for GBH with intent stands as the primary legal record of her danger to children.
As a convicted child abuser, Wilkins’ details are logged on national databases to ensure she is barred from unsupervised contact with minors. Authorities state that the severe injuries to the baby’s eyes, which the family court attributed to Wilkins, highlight a pattern of physical abuse in the home. Any future release will involve strict licensing conditions and monitoring by the National Probation Service to prevent further risk to vulnerable children and to uphold the protection of the victim, whose identity remains protected by law.
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